MADISON - Wisconsin State Representatives Kristina Shelton (D-Green Bay), Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton), and Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) will host an in-person listening session to hear from northeast Wisconsin residents and highlight Democratic legislative priorities for Wisconsin. Representatives Kristina Shelton, Lee Snodgrass, and Gordon Hintz issued the following statement:

“We are excited to announce an in-person budget listening session to hear from residents about how Governor Tony Evers' Badger Bounceback Budget will impact their lives and communities. We are eager to hear from constituents, advocates, and stakeholders alike about the challenges they face and the ways in which Governor Evers’ Badger Bounceback Budget will affect them.”

The in-person listening session will be held at 6:30 PM, Wednesday May 19th at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. Local public health department guidance regarding COVID-19 will be followed.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-2020-538-s5.jpgSen. Jeff Smith and Rep. Deb Andraca write about the Fair Maps Bill they are introducing on May 17th to create a nonpartisan redistricting reform process in Wisconsin.

Governor orders flags to half-staff to honor thousands of Hmong-Lao people who fought alongside the United States and ultimately faced harsh retribution from the Vietnamese and Lao governments.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-mask3-jennifer-aniston-skynews-s5.jpgFully vaccinated people can take masks off indoors and outdoors safely. Restrictions still apply in public transportation, health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Private businesses may enforce own rules.

Bill specifies that a person does not need to obtain a barbering or cosmetology license in order to perform natural hair braiding.

Madison, WI – On Wednesday, the Senate companion of Assembly Bill 121, Senate Bill 216, relating to the deregulation of natural hair braiding, passed through the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing, and Forestry. This bill specifies that a person does not need to obtain a barbering or cosmetology license in order to perform natural hair braiding. On this legislation’s progress, Representative Stubbs (D-77) issued the following statement:

“As your representative, I am committed to passing real reforms, and making real change. Deregulating natural hair braiding ensures that burdensome regulation will not interfere with generational cultural practices. Black hair is a vital part of Black culture, and this is legislation will ensure that natural hair braiders are not excluded from their art.”

“In addition, this bill will open up doors for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially entrepreneurs of color and female entrepreneurs. Assembly Bill 121 removes restrictions that limit the success of women of color, and it will improve the economic lives of those who practice the art of natural hair braiding. Their success will not only benefit communities of color, but will benefit the entire state of Wisconsin.”

“I want to thank members of the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing, and Forestry for supporting this bill, and for moving it one step closer to becoming law in Wisconsin. Thirty other states have already removed this burdensome requirement, and it is time that Wisconsin follows suit.”

“This legislation will foster success within the natural hair braiding community, and I am proud to have authored this legislation with bipartisan support. Together we are moving Wisconsin forward. I am excited to see this legislation pass on the Senate floor, and be brought to the Governors desk.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-fair-maps-s5.jpgLWV-WI to call for nonpartisan redistricting Monday. Kristin Brey of As Goes Wisconsin to emcee event featuring legislators, activists, and musicians at first in-person Fair Maps rally in more than a year.

Northeast Wisconsin Congressman votes against Liz Cheney, supports Republican election conspiracies.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/opioid-overdose-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the prevalence of mental illness in the U.S. so we can better support those who may be struggling and help them understand it’s okay to not be okay.

Bill would provide free State park admission to Wisconsin’s federally recognized Indigenous tribes.

MADISON - Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Beth Meyers (D-Bayfield) introduced LRB 2820/1 (& LRB-3361/1), a bill to provide free State Park passes to a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band located in Wisconsin.

Senator Agard, Representative Meyers, and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) released the following statements:

Senator Melissa Agard:

“This is an example of what good governance is - this idea was born from a First Nations constituent reaching out to my office with an idea. This is how the government should work - with the will of the people being carried into the state capitol. After all, government should strive to uplift and listen to all constituents.

“Additionally, the First Nations Parks Pass bill provides tribal members access to their land. All state parks occupy land that was taken from Indigenous populations. No one should have to pay to access their own land. This is how we start righting past wrongs in our history - here is how we honor all of Wisconsin’s history. I am proud to author this legislation.”

Representative Beth Meyers:

“In the 74th Assembly District, possibly one of the most beautiful places in the world, we value our state parks and outdoor recreations. Tribal members have been thriving on this land for centuries. This bill recognizes that the Indigenous Tribes of Wisconsin should have heightened access to our state parks.”

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Chief Executive Officer Bryan Bainbridge:

“Natural resources are a focus of the State of the Tribes address this year, and I am excited about this bill which recognizes the importance of our natural spaces to Wisconsin’s tribes and tribal members. It is important to acknowledge and allow our tribal members access to state parks. Wisconsin State Parks are some of the original homelands to Indigenous People of Wisconsin, and this legislation honors that history and tradition.”

Honors the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans to the history of the United States.

MADISON - Tuesday, Assembly Joint Resolution 48 relating to recognizing Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans to the history of the United States, passed in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Representative Hong (D-76) released the following statement:

“The passage of the APIDA Heritage Month resolution is a historic moment for Wisconsin. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Representative John Spiros (R-86) and Senator Dale Kooyenga (R-5) for seeing this bill through and my colleagues in the Legislature for their support.

As long as the story of Wisconsin is told, so will the story of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans, for those two stories are intertwined and of one another. Our heritage as APIDA is one to be celebrated, one to be remembered, and I am glad that after many years, the legislature has finally recognized our important communities.

For too long, APIDA Wisconsinites have suffered intense racial violence and ostracization at the hands of systemic white supremacy. This moment, therefore, is one where we must not only honor the resilience of the APIDA community, but also one where we mourn that which we have lost and promise that which we have not given.

Today, as an original author of this resolution and as the first APIDA legislator in Wisconsin history, I am also weighed down by the sadness of this moment. I acknowledge that my joy will never be complete if my Black colleagues and Black Wisconsinites continue to see the resolution honoring Black History Month denied on the basis of hatred and racism.

The Legislature must continuously reorient its purpose to fight systemic injustices. We cannot refuse to enact policy that uplifts every Wisconsinite, regardless of who they are.

We must be better than what we have been.”